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The vibrant shores of Natlan buzzed with life as Faruzan stepped off the airship, her heart racing with excitement. The air was thick with the scent of salt and adventure, a stark contrast to the scholarly atmosphere of Sumeru. With her turquoise-gradient hair catching the sunlight and her unique eyes scanning the surroundings, she felt a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Faruzan spots a tan young woman with blue eyes that fade to orange-red with a fish-shaped pupil approached her, her white hair cascading in a beautiful flow of light blue. It was Mualani, her guide from the People of the Springs, brimming with enthusiasm. “Welcome to Natlan, Miss, I'm Mualani, a guide from the People of the Springs!” Mualani exclaimed, her fish-shaped pupils sparkling with excitement. Faruzan's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you, Mualani, I'm Faruzan, Haravatat scholar from Surmeru." "A Surmeru scholar? That's sounds very cool, so you're like super smart. Oh, I got a little distracted. Follow me! I'll show you around Natlan!" Faruzan couldn’t help but smile at Mualani’s infectious energy. “Lead the way, Mualani."
As they wandered through vibrant markets, lush gardens, and breathtaking coastlines, Mualani’s passion for watersports shone through. She spoke animatedly about her love for surfing, her eyes lighting up with each wave she described. Faruzan, with her knowledge of ancient scripts and machines, shared stories of her research, finding joy in the contrast of their worlds. “Natlan is truly remarkable,” Faruzan said, her heart swelling with excitement. “I’ve encountered many legends during my studies, but seeing it in person is something else entirely.” Mualani grinned, her enthusiasm uncontainable. “You haven’t seen anything yet! Come on, I have a special place in mind for you.” As they continued their adventure, Mualani suddenly paused, spotting a figure in the distance. “Oh! Is that Granny Citlali?” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Let me go get her!” “Citlali?” Faruzan echoed, intrigued.“Just wait here!” Mualani called back as she dashed off, leaving Faruzan standing amidst the vibrant scenery. A moment later, Mualani returned, her arm around a girl with long, light pastel purple hair that faded into dark pink and purple, her dark blue eyes gazing at them with a mix of curiosity and annoyance. “Mualani,” Citlali said with a sigh, “you better not be asking for another fortune reading.” “Not this time!” Mualani chuckled. “I want you to meet Faruzan, who's a Haravatat scholar from Sumeru! She’s here to explore Natlan.” “Nice to meet you, Faruzan,” Citlali said, her voice smooth. “Nice to meet you too, Citlali.” Faruzan replied, feeling an unexpected warmth in Citlali’s gaze. There was something captivating about her, and Faruzan couldn’t shake the feeling. Mualani grinned widely. “I’ll let you two talk for a while. Don’t hesitate to call if you need me!” Without waiting for a response, she skipped away, leaving Faruzan and Citlali alone.
An awkward silence settled between them, both girls feeling the weight of unspoken words. “So, what do you do in Natlan?” Faruzan ventured, breaking the tension. “I’m a fortune teller for the Masters of the Night-Wind,” Citlali replied, her tone a of pride. “Mualani keeps pestering me for readings.” Faruzan chuckled lightly. “It sounds like you have your hands full.” “Yeah, you could say that,” Citlali admitted, her expression softening slightly. “But it does have its perks. I get to see how people react to their futures.” They began to share stories, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Faruzan spoke of her research and her adventures in Sumeru, while Citlali opened up about her dreams and her experiences as a fortune teller. Time seemed to slip away as they found common ground, laughter spilling between them like a gentle breeze.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the unknown,” Faruzan confessed, her heart racing as she met Citlali’s gaze. “There’s so much we can learn from the future.” Citlali nodded, her eyes sparkling with interest. “Sometimes, the future holds more mysteries than we expect.” As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Mualani reappeared. “Faruzan! It’s time to go now!” she called out, her energy undiminished. Faruzan turned to Citlali, who was smiling softly, her eyes reflecting the warm colors of the sunset. “It was great meeting you, Citlali,” Faruzan said, a flutter in her chest. “Yeah, you too,” Citlali replied, a hint of shyness creeping into her voice. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
As Mualani led Faruzan away, she glanced back to see Citlali waving, her smile radiant against the backdrop of the setting sun. Faruzan returned the gesture, a hopeful smile lighting up her face. Faruzan’s heart fluttered, and she waved back, a smile breaking across her face. “I hope so too,” Faruzan said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, but the sentiment was clear.